San Vito lo Capo

San Vito Lo Capo is located on the west coast of Sicily, near the Gulf of Macari and the Zingaro Nature Reserve and the Gulf of Castellammare. The village has white beaches and in 2011 was voted best beach of Italy, and eighth in Europe. San Vito was born at the end of the eighteenth century in the territory of Erice, at the foot of Mount Monaco, in the bright bay between Capo San Vito and Punta Solanto. Its history is marked by traces of the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic found in numerous natural caves, which are houses that overlook the sea. Enveloped in the mystery of the existence of an ancient village, Conturrana a huge cliff 500 steps from the shore detached from the mountain. Here, probably around the end of the fourth century. BC, there was a little town. The Core of San Vito Lo Capo is the current sanctuary, an ancient Saracen fortress that over the centuries has undergone several construction projects. The first building, built around 300, was a small chapel dedicated to San Vito Martire, the patron saint of the seaside village. According to legend, the young Vito (actually born in Mazara del Vallo), after converting to Christianity, he was forced to leave the country, accompanied by his nurse Crescentia, to escape the persecutions of the emperor grew Diocleziano.Col time the fame of the church and the “miracles” attributed to Vito martyr and Saint Crescentia and so, to accommodate the many faithful who came on pilgrimage and especially to defend them from thieves and bandits, the original building became transformed into a fortress dating back to the end of ‘400. Meanwhile, along the coasts of the island began to be built numerous towers to defend against incursions by pirates. ‘700 At the beginning of the first houses began to appear all around the building, from where it was born the town of San Vito Lo Capo. These architectural elements characterize the place today allowing tourists to enjoy a breathtaking natural landscape and of experiencing the culture at the same time. In summer, San Vito is transformed into a tourist resort with a high rate due to its beauty but also the many organized events such as the “Cous Cous Fest” (every year in late September) that celebrates this ancient and tasty dish with shows, tastings, culinary competitions and more.